What are car companies doing to help me during the coronavirus pandemic?

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic and associated lock-down have left many motorists wondering what they should do if something goes wrong with their car, while prospective buyers are concerned about who they can speak to and the impact on deliveries.

Here we look at the services each manufacturer is providing, and how you can get in touch with them if needed. Although the exact situation differs from brand to brand, the general trend is that physical showrooms are closed, but some workshops are open to provide repairs to the vehicles of key workers, as defined by the government.

Look down the list below to see what each car maker is offering, and find answers to more coronavirus-related car questions on our dedicated hub page.

Alfa Romeo

What's available While a number of Alfa Romeo service centres have closed during the coronavirus pandemic, some are still open and operating. A number of retailers are also operating remotely should you wish to purchase a new car. If you are awaiting delivery of a new vehicle, your local retailer will be in touch to discuss available options.

Who can I contact? You can call Alfa Romeo's customer care team on 0800 2532 0000. The line's operating hours are 0900-1800 Monday to Friday, and 0800-1700 on Saturdays.

Audi

What's available Many Audi service centres are still operating, albeit with reduced capacity. Most are focussed on helping key workers with urgent repairs as they are needed, too, meaning there will likely be delays for non-essential work. If you are not a key worker and your car is due a service, you're advised to contact your local Audi Centre to see if that work can either be booked in or delayed until a later date.

Who can I contact? If you're a key worker, as defined by the government, and need urgent vehicle maintenance, you can contact Audi's Customer Service Centre on 0114 450 3333.

If you're not a key worker and still want some advice, you can email Audi's customer services department at customer.services@audi.co.uk or call on 0800 699 888. Alternatively, you can follow this link if your query is about finance.

You are not currently able to book a service for your car online. Instead, Audi recommends calling your local Audi Centre.

BMW

What's available All BMW Centre showrooms have now closed, although some retailers are still in touch with customers. If you are struggling to meet your finance payments as a result of the pandemic, BMW says it has a range of options available, including significantly reduced payments for a number of months. The manufacturer also says that deferring your payments completely is not possible.

Who can I contact? You can contact BMW using a form on the firm's website, or, if you need urgent assistance, call 0370 5050 150. The line's opening hours are 0830-1800 Monday to Friday, and 0900-1230 on Saturdays.

Citroen

What's available Although Citroen's showrooms are temporarily closed as a result of the pandemic, but the majority of the company's service centres and workshops remain open, albeit with reduced capacity. The company says it will be contacting anyone who is due to receive a vehicle, or who has an appointment for upcoming servicing work.

If you are a key worker especially, Citroen says it is offering MOT, roadside recovery and emergency repairs for your cars still, and is even able to loan you a replacement car if needed. If key workers are concerned about visiting a service centre, then collection and delivery of your car can also be arranged.

Citroen also notes that while its physical dealerships are closed, potential buyers can spec a car and reserve it online.

Who can I contact? Citroen is asking its customers to contact their local dealers in the first instance, or you can call its Customer Care department on 0800 093 9393. The line's opening hours are 0900-1500 Monday to Friday.

Dacia

What's available All of Dacia's physical dealerships are closed, but a limited number of service centres are open to provide essential makers on the cars of key workers only. Deliveries of new vehicles has also paused, although some retailers are still contactable digitally. Additionally, Dacia is offering free home delivery on new cars, equal to a further saving of £250.

Who can I contact? Although Dacia is advising owners to contact their local dealership in the first instance, you can also contact Dacia Customer Services on 0344 335 1111. The line's opening hours are 0830-1730 Monday to Friday, and 0900-1700 on Saturdays.

DS

What's available All of DS' physical dealerships are temporarily closed in line with government advice, although you can still spec and reserve a car online. Retailers will be contacting anyone due to take delivery of a new or used car, or who have an upcoming booking. The majority of DS workshops remain open with reduced capacity but will be prioritising looking after the cars of key workers. This includes proving loan cars if required, as well as carrying out repair work and roadside assistance. If any key worker is concerned about visiting a service centre, then collection and delivery can also be arranged.

DS notes that for any questions relating to finance agreements, customers should contact their finance provider directly.

Who can I contact? DS' customer care line is 0800 877 8455. The line's opening hours are 0900-1500 Monday to Friday.

Fiat

What's available Many of Fiat's physical dealerships have closed, but a number of service departments remain open, and these are likely to prioritise key worker vehicles first. Fiat notes that a number of its retailers are operating remotely, so can still assist potential buyers with sales enquiries. Anyone due to take delivery of a vehicle soon will be contacted by their local retailer.

Who can I contact? Fiat says to contact local retailers in the first instance, or you can call its customer care team on 0800 3428 0000. The line's opening hours are 0900-1800 Monday to Friday, and 0800-1700 on Saturdays.

Ford

What's available All of Ford's physical dealerships are currently closed, but some workshops remain open to support key workers in servicing and repairing their vehicles. In some cases, those services can be done from a mobile outlet which can come to you. Like most car makers, anyone interested in speccing up and buying a car can do so completely online through Ford's website.

Additionally, Ford has introduced a new finance product which offers buyers the chance to defer their payment for three months, and also to take three months' worth of payments either as a cashback payment, or as a discount on the vehicle.

Who can I contact? You can contact a Ford advisor by calling 020 3564 4444. The company's website also offers a live chat facility.

Honda

What's available All of Honda's physical dealerships are closed, but a number of service departments remain open to support the vehicles of key workers. Honda advises you to contact your local service centre before going, to see if it is open. Honda also says that most of its retailers remain contactable by phone and email should you wish to contact them regarding sales enquiries or future vehicle collections.

Honda also notes that anyone struggling to make finance payments should contact it or their finance provider to discuss the situation.

Who can I contact? You can contact Honda's customer service team on 0345 200 8000.

Hyundai

What's available All of Hyundai's dealerships are closed, but some service centres remain open to help repair or maintain the vehicles of key workers. Key workers are advised to contact their local centre first to see if it is open, or to contact Hyundai Customer Service on the number below. Anyone concerned about meeting finance payments can submit a query online.

Anyone wanting to purchase a new vehicle can do so completely online, too. Vehicle deliveries to customers are halted for the time-being.

Who can I contact? You can contact Hyundai Customer Service on 0800 981 981. The line's opening hours are 0900-1700 Monday to Friday.

Jaguar

What's available All of Jaguar's physical showrooms are closed, but some retailers are working remotely and offering a selection of services online. In addition, some service centres remain open to repair and maintain the vehicles of key workers.

In addition Jaguar is offering the option of deferring finance payments to the end of their agreement through its website, although this will incur an additional interest payment, payable at the end of the agreement.

Who can I contact? Jaguar's customer service phone line is not accepting inbound calls at the moment. However, anyone wanting to get in touch with the company can email jagcrc@jaguarlandrover.com to request a call back.

Jeep 

What's available Jeep says that a large number of its retailers have kept their servicing departments open, but like other car makers these are likely to prioritise helping key workers with repairs and maintenance. If you were due to take delivery of a new car in the coming weeks, your retailer will be in touch to arrange alternative dates. And while all physical dealerships are closed, Jeep says some of its retailers are working remotely and are still available to assist with sales enquiries.

Like many other car makers, Jeep is also offering the option of payment deferrals should your ability to make finance payments be compromised.

Who can I contact? You can contact the Jeep customer care team on 0800 0426 5337. The line's opening hours are 0900-1800 Monday to Friday, and 0800-1700 on Saturday.

Kia

What's available Like many of the car makers on this list, all of Kia's physical dealerships are currently closed. However, approximately 40% of the brand's servicing departments are open in order to help keep the vehicles of key workers in good working order. 

Who can I contact? You can contact Kia's Business Centre on 0800 294 0417.

Land Rover

What's available All of Land Rover's physical showrooms are closed, but some retailers are working remotely and offering a selection of services online. In addition, some service centres remain open to repair and maintain the vehicles of key workers.

In addition, Land Rover is offering the option of deferring finance payments to the end of their agreement through its website, although this will incur an additional interest payment, payable at the end of the agreement.

Who can I contact? Land Rover's customer service phone line is not accepting inbound calls at the moment. However, anyone wanting to get in touch with the company can email lradvice@jaguarlandrover.com to request a call back.

Lexus

What's available All Lexus dealerships are physically closed, but most are working remotely and are able to answer most question via the telephone or online. Lexus says that the majority of its workshops are contactable to provide support "in situations where a vehicle is off the road and requires an emergency repair." Like most service centres at the moment, though, those that are open are likely to prioritise key workers.

Who can I contact? If you are a key worker and need to have work completed on your car, Lexus advises you to contact your local centre by phone or email in the first instance. Otherwise, you can contact its customer service team by email or live chat through its website.

Mazda

What's available All of Mazda's physical showrooms are closed, although some are contactable through telephone and online to deal with enquiries. Some service centres also remain open, but are prioritising essential work on the vehicles of key workers, and the vehicles of vulnerable drivers who require their cars.

Who can I contact? Contact the Mazda Customer Relations Team on 03457 484848. The line's opening hours are 0900-1700 Monday to Friday. Alternatively, email mmukassistance@mazdaeur.com.

Mercedes

What's available Mercedes' physical dealerships across the UK are currently closed, although some may be contactable through telephone or online. The majority of Mercedes workshops, however, remain open with reduced capacity to help with the repair and servicing of key worker vehicles.

Who can I contact? The first point of contact is to email cs.uk@cac.mercedes-benz.com. Alternatively, the Mercedes website offers a call-back feature and live chat.

MG

What's available MG is also relaxing its service intervals, allowing owners covered under its Service Interval Plan to drive an extra 3000 miles and still be covered. It hopes that this gives owners the flexibility to book a service once the lockdown is lifted. Additionally, customers who bought an MG between 23rd March and 30th April will have their MG Assistance breakdown cover extended to 31st May.

Who can I contact? You can call MG's enquiries line on 020 3917 5821. The line's opening hours are from 0900-1730 Monday to Friday.

Mini

What's available All Mini showrooms are currently closed, and Mini says it is working with its retailers to establish what services they can offer in terms of essential service or repair. Potential buyers continue to be able to configure a car and make sales enquiries online. Mini also says that its support for drivers who might struggle to meet finance payments includes the option to significantly reduce those payments for a number of months.

Who can I contact? Mini advises that if drivers are in need of urgent vehicle maintenance, they should check the availability of their local Mini Centre either by telephone or online.

Mitsubishi

What's available Many Mitsubishi dealerships remain open for the service and repair of vehicles belonging to key workers, though the physical showrooms remain closed. Buyers who have Mitsubishi's Service Plan have been given an extra grace period to claim their service once the lockdown has ended.

Who can I contact? You can email cs@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk or call the Customer Services team on 01285 647774. 

Nissan

What's available The servicing departments at a number of Nissan dealerships remain open, but are operating at a reduced capacity. Therefore, those departments are prioritising maintenance and repairs on the vehicles of key workers. Nissan says it is likely that dealerships will be unable to undertake routine service and maintenance on non-key worker vehicles for the foreseeable future. 

Nissan is also offering free roadside assistance to key workers who drive its vehicles, regardless of the car's age or warranty cover. The assistance includes roadside repair and recovery to a Nissan dealership. Should their car need to be left at said dealership, Nissan will provide a courtesy car wherever possible, again with no charge. 

Nissan also notes that some of its dealerships are now operating remotely, and can assist potential buyers using social media services such as Facetime, WhatsApp and Skype. In addition, the manufacturer has said that it will honouring warranties with existing customers, even if the pandemic means they are unable to service their cars on time.

Who can I contact? Nissan's telephone lines are currently unavailable, as is its live chat functionality. However, you can still submit an online form via the Nissan website, and if you're a key worker in need of roadside assistance, call 0330 123 1231.

Peugeot

What's available All physical Peugeot dealerships are closed, but the servicing departments at a number of those sites remain open in order to carry out servicing and repair work on the vehicles of key workers. And for any potential buyers, a number of Peugeot retailers are operating remotely.

Who can I contact? If you have a question about finance payments, Peugeot asks that you contact your finance provider directly. For general enquiries, you can call on 0800 042 2255. 

Porsche

What's available All Porsche Centre showrooms are currently closed, and their workshops are not providing routine maintenance to customers. However, Porsche notes that key workers can get in touch with its customer service team to facilitate any urgent repairs. The Porsche Assistance breakdown service is also still operational but is again prioritising key workers.

Who can I contact? You can contact Porsche customer service on 03457 911 911 or email customer.assistance@porsche.co.uk

Renault

What's available A limited number of Renault's workshop facilities remain open, but are only working on the cars of key workers to keep them mobile. All of Renault's physical showrooms are closed, but some may be operating remotely and still able to help with sales enquiries. Deliveries of new vehicles are suspended for the moment.

Who can I contact? You should contact your local retailer in the first instance, or call 0344 335 0000. The line's opening hours are 0800-1800 Monday to Friday.

Seat

What's available All physical Seat dealerships are closed, but some are operating remotely and can still assist with sales enquiries. While Seat doesn't lay out any help it's giving to those with finance deals explicitly, it does ask those concerned to get in touch with their finance providers, such as Volkswagen Group's own Financial Services, to see what can be arranged. Any planned vehicle deliveries are postponed until at least mid-April.

Who can I contact? If you are a key worker and need urgent vehicle maintenance, please call Seat's customer service team on 0114 450 3248, or if you have a general query call 08085 222 222. 

Skoda

What's available All Skoda dealerships are closed, but some are likely to be operating remotely to assist with any enquiries. In fact, Skoda is operating a 'virtual showroom' feature where its product experts can talk with you and show you the car you're interested in via video chat. While Skoda doesn't set out any help it's giving to those with finance deals explicitly, it does ask those concerned to get in touch with their finance providers, such as Volkswagen Group's own Financial Services, to see what can be arranged. Any planned vehicle deliveries are postponed.

Who can I contact? If you are a key worker and need urgent vehicle maintenance, please call Skoda's customer service team on 0114 450 3302, or if you have a general query call 03330 037 504. 

Smart

What's available All of Smart's physical dealerships across the UK are currently closed, although some may be contactable through telephone or online. The majority of workshops, however, remain open with reduced capacity to help with the repair and servicing of key worker vehicles.

Who can I contact? Email cs.uk@cac.mercedes-benz.com.

SsangYong

What's available While some SsangYong dealerships are closed completely, others remain open to deal with sales enquiries remotely or to carry out service and repair work on the vehicles of key workers. Like some other manufacturers, SsangYong is also extending its warranty intervals by 2000 miles, meaning that drivers who can't have their car serviced during the lockdown won't void their warranties.

Who can I contact? SsangYong lists every dealer and their phone number on its website, but you can also call customer services o333 444 1954 or email customerservice@ssangyonggb.co.uk.

Subaru

What's available All of Subaru's physical dealerships are closed, but a number of workshops remain open to help keep the vehicles of key workers on the road. Some retailers are also operating remotely, and Subaru says some 'are implementing minimal-contact solutions to help serve your needs'. It's best to check with your local retailer before travelling anywhere, though.

Who can I contact? Contact Subaru head office on 0121 730 8166.

Suzuki

What's available All Suzuki dealerships are closed, but Suzuki is asking any customers who are key workers to contact their local retailer if they need repairs. If you cannot get through to your local dealer, contact customer services on the number below. 

Like some others on this list, Suzuki is also extending the service intervals of its cars by up to 3000 miles, meaning that drivers who can't have their car maintained during the lockdown won't void their warranties. Suzuki is also offering deferred payments for up to three months for finance customers.

Who can I contact? Phone Suzuki's customer service team on 080 8501 1959 and select option 3. The line's opening hgours are 0830-1730 Monday to Friday. Alternatively, email customerservices@suzuki.co.uk.

Tesla

What's available Tesla doesn't provide information on its website about how it's supporting owners during the pandemic, but it is likely to be operating in a similar way to most other manufacturers. That is to say that all physical showrooms will be closed, but some service departments may be open to help key workers with emergency repairs.

Who can I contact? You can contact Tesla customer support on 0162 845 0660

Toyota

What's available Toyota says that the majority of its after-sales teams remain contactable to provide support where a vehicle is off the road and in need of repair, though like most other manufacturers on this list, it is likely to prioritise key workers such as NHS staff. Toyota is also extending cover of its Toyota Roadside Assistance service until the end of May, for those drivers whose policies have expired and not been renewed since 1st February. That roadside assistance is also being extended to any key workers who own a Toyota of any age.

Who can I contact? Key workers in need of repairs are asked to contact their local Toyota retailer in the first instance, or you can ring customer services on 0344 701 6202. The Toyota website also offers a live-chat feature.

Vauxhall

What's available Vauxhall's showrooms are closed in line with government advice, but a large number of its workshops are remaining open with reduced capacity to cover MOTs, servicing and repairs for the cars of key workers. Customers with concerns over finance payments are asked to contact their finance provider directly. If drivers have a Vauxhall Service Plan, that plan is being extended up to three months or 1800 miles to cover cases where vehicles cannot be serviced in line with the original service schedule.

Who can I contact? You can contact Vauxhall customer services on 0800 026 0034.

Volkswagen

What's available While physical showrooms are closed, a number of retailers remain open digitally to help with sales enquiries. In addition, a number of workshops are open to deal with servicing or repairs on the vehicles of key workers. Anyone with concerns about meeting their finance payments, including through Volkswagen Group's own Financial Services department, are asked to contact them directly.

Who can I contact? If you are a key worker in need of servicing or repairs, you can contact Volkswagen customer services on 0114 450 3374. If you have a general query, phone 0800 333 555.

Volvo 

What's available Like most others on this list, Volvo's physical showrooms are closed, but many of its retailers are operating remotely and can assist with any sales enquiries. In addition, many of the brand's workshops remain open – however, these are likely to prioritise servicing and repairs on the cars of key workers.

Who can I contact? You can contact Volvo's customer services team on 01628 422 522. The company's website also offers a live chat facility.

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